Powell Butte Charter School to resume classes Thursday as violent threats investigated

(Update: comments from area residents, school district spokesman; classes )

POWELL BUTTE, Ore. (KTVZ) – Powell Butte Community Charter School canceled classes and closed the campus Wednesday after receiving violent threats by voicemail and text message, as an investigation began, involving the FBI, to find the culprit. Classes are expected to resume Thursday, with an added police presence.

The threats were sent by voicemail and text to the school's main phone number and prompted the search of the property and a neighboring church and an investigation involving the FBI, Crook County Undersheriff James Savage said Wednesday.

“Late yesterday evening, the school received more than one threat, specific to Powell Butte (School)” Savage told NewsChannel 21. It was discovered this morning on a phone message. We’ve been actively working it.”

The threat was received by the school administration around 5 a.m. Wednesday.

“We’re working with the FBI and some local partners to help track down” who left the messages, and Prineville police also are involved in the investigation, Savage added.

Because the school threat is still under investigation by the sheriff's office and FBI, Crook County School District Communications Director Jason Carr said he could not share the exact wording of the threat.

A thorough search of the school and property found nothing, but the undersheriff said there will be “extra precautions the next few days, to assure kids’ safety.”

Law enforcement also checked the property of the Powell Butte Christian Church next door, and nothing was found.

A Facebook post to the Crook County High School page indicated the that administrators “discovered a text message and voicemail to the main school phone line early this morning.”

“To ensure the safety of staff and students, Principal Jenn Berry-O'Shea made the decision to cancel school for the day while police search the school property and begin their investigation,” the posting said.

“The threat was specific to Powell Butte Community Charter School and did NOT include any other schools within the Crook County School District. Classes for all other schools will start on time and bus routes are running on their normal schedules," the message added.

Another posting, to the charter school’s Facebook page, said, “Student safety is our top priority, and thoroughly investigating the threats will take time.”

Students are expected to return to campus Thursday. A police presence will be on hand for the rest of the week, to ensure the safety of students and staff, Savage said.

An office manager at the church said their office also was closed and morning activities canceled due to the neighboring school's threat, as recommended by the sheriff's office.

Church staff returned to the office in the afternoon, with some sheriff's deputies on duty in the parking lot between the church and school, and church activities will resume Wednesday night.

Those living and working in the area were alarmed about the situation.

Jerry Adams works at the Powell Butte Country Store, right across from the campus.

“It makes me feel very concerned for all the students that come here," Adams said. "I mean, they come to school for an education, for a safe time, for a fun time. We know quite a few of the kids from across the street that come here for one thing to another. It’s just concerning, because that’s something they shouldn’t have to go through in life.”

Sean Henlin lives in Powell Butte and has a son that goes to Redmond High School.

“Honestly -- that something like that could happen in even a rural area like this and not somewhere in like, you would hear, in the big city. That’s kind of shocking," Henlin said.

Carr stresses the importance of the matter.

“It’s always a good reminder to families and students about the serious nature of threats like these, and they will be taken seriously whether it’s an adult or student who does these," Carr said. "You know, they can face jail time. If it’s a student, they could face expulsion from school and jail time as well.”